A Not So Merry Rescue

by Taylor Delong

She’s the grinch to his Hallmark movie lover. Will her frigid heart chill his joy of the holiday?

When I first meet Willa Gibson, she’s a mess—literally and emotionally. She crashed her car in a snowstorm and her nerves are at an all-time high.

Fixing car wrecks is my specialty, but with every inn booked solid, not even I can work a miracle to find the pretty brunette a place to stay. Until I stupidly suggest she come home with me.

I don’t mean for it as a come-on—I’ll go somewhere else, obviously—but convincing her takes all my small-town charm. Out of options, she accepts my invitation, but my holiday cheer at getting to spend more time with the beautiful stranger is short-lived.

Driving through my Christmas-loving hometown, I learn she hates my favorite holiday. In fact, Willa abhors it. Good thing she’s not here to stay. Our initial sparks won’t lead anywhere if we disagree about something this important.

While her car remains out of commission, there’s no quick fix to send her on her merry way, and I’m stuck playing host to the grinch.

However, as I uncover the reasons behind her disdain for the holiday, it turns out my heart might be the one in need of a rescue...

Genres: Christmas, Holiday

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2024

Reviews

[Heather Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reverse black cat/golden retriever trope I didn't know I needed. Willa Gibson does not enjoy Christmas, but when her car slides on the snowy roads, her rescuer aka tow truck driver Beckett Nicholas helps her let go of her past and learn to love Christmas. Highly recommend grabbing a blanket, a steaming mug of hot chocolate and settling in to read this heartwarming and festive romance.

[Isabel Debono · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute, sweet read.
Loved the fact that he was the ray of Sunshine that loved Christmas and she was the grumpy grinch.
Got a real Hallmark movie feel to me. Town that loves Christmas and the grinch that gets stuck there.
Great banter between Willa and Beckett and awesome chemistry.
This was a perfect holiday read.

I was given a complimentary copy but voluntarily chose to review

[Cha.len.novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

reverse grump and golden retriever in small town Hallmark vibes

[Colleen Weekley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Christmas romance with a touch of spice. Cute plot. Caring man. What more could you want?

[Vera Blaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars!

Who doesn't love Christmas?!?!? When I first started reading the book, I couldn't help but wonder why the author would do me dirty with a character who didn't love Christmas. Willa Gibson just wanted to get away and possibly find her writing muse, but much to her chagrin, she wrecks her car and ends up in a town that looks like it vomited Christmas decorations. Couple that with Beckett Nicholas who could be the offspring of Santa himself. Willa hasn't quite reached Grinch level; her reasons for disliking Christmas are valid. OMG when she revealed the pain Christmas causes....my heart! Beckett didn't set out to change Willa's ways but instead gave her the space and time to do or not do any holiday-related activities. They may have started a just-for-now fling, but it became way more than that. Willa discovered how to let go of her guilt, find joy in the little things that made Christmas so festive and magical, discover her love for writing once more, and find lasting love with Beckett. And Beckett...the man has the patience of a saint. Not to mention mad skills in the kitchen. So while I initially thought the author was Grinch herself, I discovered that even the happiest endings have to start somewhere, even with a strong dislike of Christmas.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent reversal of the grumpy/sunshine duo you normally see. This time, she’s the grinch and he’s the holiday loving elf. Well, not really elf, since Beckett is a WHOLE lot of man. But still, she’s anti-holiday, he’s not. And once the reasons for Willa’s reluctance to partake in any holiday cheer come out, Beckett makes it his mission to give Willa all that she’ll let him. A return to the words she loved so much. Something starting with O (a lot of that one). Family fun. And maybe love?

But Beckett makes a mistake. In the desperation to find a way to being more than a holiday fling, he keeps a big truth from Willa. And cue the misery on both parts. But sometimes holiday magic can extend beyond the new year, as evidenced by that which brings these two back together. And honestly, it’s refreshing to know that they’re both trying to heal and failing miserably without each other. Call me a grinch, but I like knowing that the person who messed up hurts as much as the one who got played. And they make it all better in the end, so that isn’t really too mean on just part. After all, Willa and Beckett are sort of mean to be.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it may be early in the season, "A Not So Merry Rescue" by Taylor Delong made me glad I picked up a Christmas read. Willa, our guarded, Christmas-hating heroine, finds herself stranded in a snow-filled small town where everyone (especially her rescuer, Nate) is full of holiday cheer. Nate's devotion to Christmas is infectious, contrasting perfectly with Willa's icy outlook. The story follows a classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and I loved how their differing views on the holiday brought so much humor and tension to their budding romance.
Delong's ability to paint Winterberry as a vibrant holiday wonderland pulls you into the story and Nate and Willa's chemistry is sweet and heartfelt. This isn't just your typical Christmas romance—the story dives into the reasons behind Willa's grinchy attitude, and her transformation feels authentic. This is a fantastic choice if you're in the mood for a Hallmark-style holiday love story with real emotional depth, and it makes a great addition to your book collection.
Happy Reading...enjoy!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎄He loves Christmas
❤️Found Family
🎄She’s a Grinch
❤️Instalust
🎄Christmas Loving Small Town
❤️One Cabin
🎄Past Scars
❤️Opposites Attract

💚Available Now On Kindle Unlimited 💚

Review :

I absolutely loved this book! There isn’t a book by Taylor that I’ve read that I haven’t liked. I loved the book from the very beginning. I loved Willa and Becketts characters. I would have loved to have been broken down in a town all about Christmas. The kindness the towns people have are so genuine. Beckett was incredibly kind offering his cabin to Willa. I envisioned the whole town as I was reading the story. I loved how closely they became as time went on. Normally it’s the guys who are grumpy about Christmas but there we have Willa being like the grinch. She has her reasons but it was good to see it reversed. I love reading a good Hallmark movie kind of book.
I feel like Willa and Beckett learned a lot about each other and from one another.

[Amanda Parker-Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Not so Merry Rescue by Taylor Delong
⭐️4/5⁣⁣⁣
🥰Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
🥰One Bed
🥰Forced Proximity
🥰Found Family

This was my First Taylor Delong Book, and it did not disappoint!! I truly enjoyed this Christmas Story. It gave me Hallmark vibes. Willa is not a Christmas fan at all until she crashes her car in Winterberry. Winterberry could be a Hallmark movie kind of town. Willa is not exactly excited to be stuck in Winterberry. However, Beckett who loves Christmas lets her stay with him. Let’s just say his love for Christmas will have her changing her mind.
⁣⁣⁣⁣
I would highly recommend this as your next read!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grinch meets hotty Father Christmas. Willa wants nothing but to seclude herself in a cabin and forget the holiday but her car has different plans. She finds herself crashed literally into a town that is Christmas everything! Beckett loves everything about the holiday but sees the broken girl that needs him to be less Christmas, while it kills him he bends for her and protects her from all things Christmas. Their week together opens many doors and challenges for both but is a beautiful live story of healing from a lost one and falling in love again.

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has all the makings of a Hallmark movie. A town that goes all out to celebrate Christmas and a man who loves the holiday that comes to rescue of a woman who despises it.

Willa has her reasons for hating the holiday and when it is revealed, Ben does his best to keep anything about the holiday away from her. Even though it about kills him. I liked that he was so patient when it came to Willa and was willing to do what ever it took to make their holiday fling into something long lasting.

[Rachel Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect Holiday Read

I absolutely loved this book so much! It was my first from Taylor, but I’ve already downloaded several more from this! Lol

I was drawn in to this story from the get! Willa and her dramatics and imagination are absolutely right up my alley! And there is absolutely no way to not fall madly in love with Beckett Nicholas! No way at all!

And their chemistry, y’all! It was absolutely off the charts! Not gonna lie, I’m always here for an insta-lust/insta-love if it’s done well, and they, my friends, was done well! I highly recommend!

[Brittany selken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willa is my girl in this book and Beckett can be my boyfriend anytime he wants. I love the small town romance books thing bring something out of me where I can’t put the book down like I have to finish that book that day.

I love Willa and Beckett relationship and how it begins like he so sweet to her when he doesn’t know her past or why she dislike Christmas so much but when she open up to him and tell him why ugh my heart break for her so much.

I love how he went after her because he knew that he couldn’t live without her and she felt the same way about him.

[Sarah Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a reverse grumpy/sunshine and the fact that she was a Grinch about Christmas made this perfect! This is a cozy holiday book and poor Willa had to deal with crashing her car and then having to stay with the mechanic fixing her car. I loved the magic of Christmas when Beckett worked to turn her opinion of the holiday around, trying to figure out why she doesn't like it which he was able to do as Willa ended up staying with him at his place.

[Closet Romance Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commence the Christmas season!! Loved the spin that she hated Christmas and it was his favorite holiday!! A Not So Merry Rescue was super sweet, had lots of laughs, and plenty of emotions!

Willa was ready to get away and put the holiday season behind her. Unfortunately for her the universe had other plans. Having her car break down and get stuck in a ditch was bad enough, but when she realized she was in what appeared to be Christmas central, her worst nightmares were coming true. She now had to rely on Beckett to get her back on the road, would he be able to fix more than just her car?

It was such a fun Christmas romance to kick off the season! Loved watching him turn her grumpy holiday spirit around. She definitely had her reasons, but I am glad it was Beckett who could thaw her heart! Their connection was on point and I loved their banter back and forth. I hope we get to see more of them!!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun way to start off the Christmas season reads! Nice to have the roles switch, she is the grinch and he loves xmas. Willa just wants to hide away in a nice cabin, but faith has other plans for her. She ends up in a town that seems to bleed Christmas. Beckett adores Christmas and doesn’t understand why she doesn’t. Their chemistry is strong. Loved this story it had great banter; humorous moments and many swoony moments. A great one to start the holiday reads!

[Anna Kaaiakamanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read that reminds me of a hallmark movie. Willa can only be described as the Grinch while Beckett is Buddy the Elf. The two cross paths when Beckett must rescue Willa on the side of the road, then gives her a place to stay due to the winter storm and lack of rooms at the inn. The chemistry is intriguing between the two. Willa has past trauma that needs worked through and Beckett is the perfect man for the job. I could not help falling for both characters!

[Mette Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ I received this as a ARC ✨

First of all thank you for letting me read this.
This was a very sweet story that gets you hooked from the beginning. I liked the small banter between the characters. (The serial murder banter) and I loved the nickname “Bundy” 😂.

The growth the characters have is just amazing and I love how they both gave each other something in their lives.
I really enjoyed this story. 🙂

[Brittany Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

This is the perfect cozy holiday romance. Think how hot chocolate feels on a cold day. This gave all the perfect reverse grumpy sunshine vibes. I loved Willa and Beckett’s chemistry. It reallt put me in the christmas mood. It was a fun and cozy read not overly spicy if youre looking for that. Definitely something perfect to get you ready for the holiday season. 🖤

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the grinch mets Mr Christmas? A wonderfully told forced proximity holiday romance. Willa, a children’s mystery author crashes in Winterberry Union and her knight in shining pickup truck is Mr Christmas himself Beckett. With nowhere to stay, Willa stays with Beckett. Their love story is comical and sweet. Great holiday read!

[Jalesa Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Willa and Beckett’s story! From the start I could tell something amazing was going to come, but I did not imagine what we got! Willa had such a hard couple of years and seeing her find her happiness again, because of Beckett was so amazing! The way that the story ended left me wanting so much more and I really hope that we get some sort of story about her sister Clem!!!

[Audrey C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was the lucky recipient of an ARC and feel spoiled to get early access :) The title and book cover indicate a certain type of rescue but there was more rescuing beyond what the tow truck could do. Loved the banter and the expansiveness of the story's depth and the realness. Definitely recommend!!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranded Christmas

Just loved Willa and Beckett's love story the humor was amazing the sparing words and one love of the holiday the other dosen't love the holiday. But all in all they are meant to be together perfect match!.
Definite five star must read!
You rock Taylor Delong!

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first ever Christmas themed book and it was super cute. Easy read with funny banter & a mostly believable plot.

It reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas Romance Movie with a little R-Rated action. The spice was just enough !

[Jo MA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Christmas story

I love a good Christmas story and this was just that! Grumpy Grinch and a Christmas loving trope always a good read, and add some spice and you won’t want to put it down.

[Andrea Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good!

Ahhh…I loved this book so much. An adorable meet cute. A man who is the sweetest book boyfriend. A woman who is lost but just needs someone to take care of her. Entertaining, full of fun and cheer. Two people who fall hard for one another. Highly recommended.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly hallmark book for the holiday :) not too bad!! (Book club read)

[Hilary Litz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas Read!

This is the perfect Christmas romance book! I loved the banter and the way the main characters interacted. It was so much fun to read.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming story of accidental meeting and falling in love with the holiday you dispaised and a man that makes you wants to write again.

[ReadingWithNikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a little early for a Christmas themed book for me, but this one, was worth it.
This was a straight out of a Hallmark movie! It is the story of Willa and Beckett Instalove holiday romance. Willa arrives in a small town in Vermont called Winterberry Junction by accident because she crashes her car and needs to wait for the part for it to be repaired. It’s a grumpy/sunshine, but, where he absolutely loves Christmas but she highly detests it and hates the holiday.
From the first page there is a lot going on but in a good way. Taylor does another amazing job at putting you into the story and visualize the characters. You are transported to Winterberry Junction with Willa and Beckett.



#ARC #GrumpySunshine #Instalove #Holiday #SmallTown Romance #ChristmasTown